The car is the car. 60s muscle cars are a category of cars. Build category is entirely different from this... e.g. stock rebuild, resto-mod, pro-touring, etc.
60's muscle car?
Curious on definition of a 60's muscle car. Let's use a Camaro as an example. If a car has been upgraded with a new LS motor, overdrive transmission, all upgraded new style interior and digital gauge setup, etc. verse say a stock Z28 with all the correct options but remember the car would have old school parts and nothing to modern. How would you call them? Both 60's muscle? Modern setup a muscle car? Or stock muscle car and modern something else? Just curious. My idea of a 60's muscle car may be wrong, but I feel it would be something with major components from that era. Not something all modernized out with only a 60's body left. Any opinions?
Thanks for answers, Greg
Thanks for answers, Greg
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I'm with you on the era related thing.Curious on definition of a 60's muscle car. Let's use a Camaro as an example. If a car has been upgraded with a new LS motor, overdrive transmission, all upgraded new style interior and digital gauge setup, etc. verse say a stock Z28 with all the correct options but remember the car would have old school parts and nothing to modern. How would you call them? Both 60's muscle? Modern setup a muscle car? Or stock muscle car and modern something else? Just curious. My idea of a 60's muscle car may be wrong, but I feel it would be something with major components from that era. Not something all modernized out with only a 60's body left. Any opinions?
Thanks for answers, Greg
A base camaro like mine is not a muscle car. It's a car that made it through 5 decades without being wrecked or scrapped. A "survivor" car used to be just that, now it has taken on a new meaning.
Interesting subject matter.
This exact issue came up at a local car show my friends and I attended. There were some nice cars showing and a restomod or pro touring 67 Camaro took the trophy in 60’s muscle car category. We had quite a discussion over this issue and thought I’d broach subject here to see where people stand. Also can someone explain a restomod and pro touring? Whats the difference between the two? I hope I can get some good answers on this. I’m quite curious on the outcome.
Again I want to thank everyone on there differing opinions. Thanks Greg
Again I want to thank everyone on there differing opinions. Thanks Greg
Most anyone I know goes by the body, regardless of "upgrades".
Unless the body has been modded to almost no resemblance of the original car...like say, the Batmobile.
Unless the body has been modded to almost no resemblance of the original car...like say, the Batmobile.
👍BatmobileMost anyone I know goes by the body, regardless of "upgrades".
Unless the body has been modded to almost no resemblance of the original car...like say, the Batmobile.
I personally think for it to be a 60's muscle car, it should have mostly 60's period parts. An LS takes it out of that class in my personal opinion.
A small block 2 door 4 seater (maybe 5) sporty car is a pony car from the 60's era.
A big block model of the above car is a muscle car. A Corvette doesn't fit this category.
A restomod is a restomod, not a pony or muscle car.
Pro touring, IMSA styling or anything else is something other than a pony or muscle car.
A big block model of the above car is a muscle car. A Corvette doesn't fit this category.
A restomod is a restomod, not a pony or muscle car.
Pro touring, IMSA styling or anything else is something other than a pony or muscle car.
I will make a guess that the difference between resto and pro tour is purpose as defined by the hardware used. If you can cruise the interstate at 140 and then enter the autocross you've got a pro tour.
Restorations and survivors look 100% correct. The others may be close, maybe not even close. To my eye many of the protour cars look bland, especially the all black ones. Racy and nasty yeah, but bland.
Many cars fudge on the resto/protour definition one way or the other. Mine will be one of those when it's done.
Restorations and survivors look 100% correct. The others may be close, maybe not even close. To my eye many of the protour cars look bland, especially the all black ones. Racy and nasty yeah, but bland.
Many cars fudge on the resto/protour definition one way or the other. Mine will be one of those when it's done.
I took my apparently "not 60's muscle car" pro-touring '68 Camaro with an LS3/T56/aftermarket front and rear suspension on a 7,000 mile trip cross country in 2019. Not one of the literally hundreds of people who talked to me about the car complained that it wasn't original. In fact most asked what I had done to it that I'd be driving it that far from home (Washington state plates). I damn near wore out the hood hinges with impromptu car shows.
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I guess they were willing to see it still as a 60's muscle car, even though it's apparently not.
I guess they were willing to see it still as a 60's muscle car, even though it's apparently not.
I just about daily drive my original looking 67 Camaro (genuine SS 350 RS, purchased in 67 locally, second owner) and it still draws comments and thumbs up EVERYWHERE I go. I still take it on state-wide weekend trips. The first gen cars have a surprising amount of space for people and luggage. Seeing as the car's odometer has turned over at least 3 times during my ownership, I don't think it'll have a problem with a tiny 7K trip.
State wide? Wow.I just about daily drive my original looking 67 Camaro (genuine SS 350 RS, purchased in 67 locally, second owner) and it still draws comments and thumbs up EVERYWHERE I go. I still take it on state-wide weekend trips. The first gen cars have a surprising amount of space for people and luggage. Seeing as the car's odometer has turned over at least 3 times during my ownership, I don't think it'll have a problem with a tiny 7K trip.
[QUOTE="Mkelcy, post:
I ddn't ask this question to insult anybody's car. Just a question that arose at a local car show. I look at all these first gen Camaros as a piece of art. Weather pro tour, rest mod, stock 6 cylinder or Muscle car. Throw in the Fords, Chryslers and other misc. models. There all great in their own way and represent a bygone time when gas was cheap, and horsepower ruled. Just looking for some good insite into what people think. Again, thanks for the opinions.
I ddn't ask this question to insult anybody's car. Just a question that arose at a local car show. I look at all these first gen Camaros as a piece of art. Weather pro tour, rest mod, stock 6 cylinder or Muscle car. Throw in the Fords, Chryslers and other misc. models. There all great in their own way and represent a bygone time when gas was cheap, and horsepower ruled. Just looking for some good insite into what people think. Again, thanks for the opinions.
IDK if the OP's car show had a "Restomod or Pro Touring" class also or just had classes based on each decade (20's, 30-s, etc) or segmented decade classes like "Muscle car, stock, etc" all of which can be subjective depending on organizers interpretation of what those categories are.
I used to enter "car shows" ( not my 1st gen Camaro) but they were national touring shows, Super Chevy. The judges were qualified, and the class breakdowns were specific (stock or modified or custom) and by model type and year. I have been fortunate enough to win some car jewelry in those shows. I don't enter "local", one-off shows run by rotary, church or charity groups where judging is done by friends and family and based purely on chrome or flames vs quality, cleanliness and engineering. I could care less what non-qualified "judges" think of my car. I have gone to some to support the "charity" cause but entered as display only and just enjoy the day.
Regarding OP's situation, I can see where there is just a class grouping all 60's "muscle cars" into one category where the majority were truer to era builds vs a Resto or Pro-Turing could be frustrating but typically whoever is judging (read wtf qualifies them) will gravitate to what was likely a high $ modified in looks and drivetrain to modern era type build.
I used to enter "car shows" ( not my 1st gen Camaro) but they were national touring shows, Super Chevy. The judges were qualified, and the class breakdowns were specific (stock or modified or custom) and by model type and year. I have been fortunate enough to win some car jewelry in those shows. I don't enter "local", one-off shows run by rotary, church or charity groups where judging is done by friends and family and based purely on chrome or flames vs quality, cleanliness and engineering. I could care less what non-qualified "judges" think of my car. I have gone to some to support the "charity" cause but entered as display only and just enjoy the day.
Regarding OP's situation, I can see where there is just a class grouping all 60's "muscle cars" into one category where the majority were truer to era builds vs a Resto or Pro-Turing could be frustrating but typically whoever is judging (read wtf qualifies them) will gravitate to what was likely a high $ modified in looks and drivetrain to modern era type build.
IMO a muscle car is a stock 60's-early 70's car with its original type powertrain. I consider an older car with a newly updated modern car engine a restomod even if the interior or exterior remain stock. Just my way of thinking and I am sure many will disagree. What do you consider a 32 Ford with a 350 Chevy engine. Certainly it is not a true 32 Coupe anymore its a street rod..
Was just a local show put on as a fund raiser for High School automotive class. Seemed to be a success as show raised $1500 and local auto dealership matched that for a $3000 total.IDK if the OP's car show had a "Restomod or Pro Touring" class also or just had classes based on each decade (20's, 30-s, etc) or segmented decade classes like "Muscle car, stock, etc" all of which can be subjective depending on organizers interpretation of what those categories are.
I used to enter "car shows" ( not my 1st gen Camaro) but they were national touring shows, Super Chevy. The judges were qualified, and the class breakdowns were specific (stock or modified or custom) and by model type and year. I have been fortunate enough to win some car jewelry in those shows. I don't enter "local", one-off shows run by rotary, church or charity groups where judging is done by friends and family and based purely on chrome or flames vs quality, cleanliness and engineering. I could care less what non-qualified "judges" think of my car. I have gone to some to support the "charity" cause but entered as display only and just enjoy the day.
Regarding OP's situation, I can see where there is just a class grouping all 60's "muscle cars" into one category where the majority were truer to era builds vs a Resto or Pro-Turing could be frustrating but typically whoever is judging (read wtf qualifies them) will gravitate to what was likely a high $ modified in looks and drivetrain to modern era type build.
A transmission (overdrive) upgrade probably still qualifies as muscle as does safety upgrade of disc brakes.
I have a 67 Camaro that has been changed by its past owners and now me. It has the look of an SS, but it's not an SS from birth. It has a period correct 327 4 barrel, but its birth was with the inline 6 cylinder, so numbers don't match.
It looks great. It's not original. I tell folks that. I don't care what they say about it, as none of them open their wallet to give me money. Therefore, I do what I want, and their opinion does not count.
Everything I do is always what a Camaro could have had in 67, but once again, was not on my Camaro at its birth. It has muscle.
It looks great. It's not original. I tell folks that. I don't care what they say about it, as none of them open their wallet to give me money. Therefore, I do what I want, and their opinion does not count.
Everything I do is always what a Camaro could have had in 67, but once again, was not on my Camaro at its birth. It has muscle.
Thats what I like about all these. Anyone can make them into anything they want.I have a 67 Camaro that has been changed by its past owners and now me. It has the look of an SS, but it's not an SS from birth. It has a period correct 327 4 barrel, but its birth was with the inline 6 cylinder, so numbers don't match.
It looks great. It's not original. I tell folks that. I don't care what they say about it, as none of them open their wallet to give me money. Therefore, I do what I want, and their opinion does not count.
Everything I do is always what a Camaro could have had in 67, but once again, was not on my Camaro at its birth. It has muscle.
I like honesty and your car has two immediate tell tales that it is not a SS. First it is not a 350 or 396. Don't feel bad as my 68 Chevelle has a L79 327/325 engine and I absolutely love that engine. Second the VIN shows that it started life as a 6 and I am sure you know that. However engine swaps occurred all the time and you are mostly correct and still qualify as a muscle car in my book. As far as giving a damn, like you say who cares as only a savvy Camaro guy will know it and unless it is for sale I wouldn't care either. Enjoy your carI have a 67 Camaro that has been changed by its past owners and now me. It has the look of an SS, but it's not an SS from birth. It has a period correct 327 4 barrel, but its birth was with the inline 6 cylinder, so numbers don't match.
It looks great. It's not original. I tell folks that. I don't care what they say about it, as none of them open their wallet to give me money. Therefore, I do what I want, and their opinion does not count.
Everything I do is always what a Camaro could have had in 67, but once again, was not on my Camaro at its birth. It has muscle.
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